WELLINGTON revived their hopes of a top-four finish in the Premier Division of the FTL Futbol West Midlands League with a derby win at New Street.

The villagers’ captain Dale Withers profited from poor marking in the Ledbury defence to score twice in last Saturday’s match.

Wellington secured the points with three goals – two of which were from free headers inside the six-yard box - in the final 30 minutes.

Ledbury striker Dorian Colling scored twice for the home side and impressed with former Colwall Rangers midfielder Scott Roberts.

But Ledbury will rue a 51st-minute refereeing decision in which their appeals for a penalty were turned down after Colling’s goal-bound header appeared to strike the arm of Wellington defender Steve Brotherwood.

It was Ledbury’s first home defeat under manager Ben Symons and the town club remain second-bottom in the division.

Ledbury, however, are confident of preserving their Premier Division status because clubs in the feeder leagues are struggling to meet the ground criteria necessary for promotion.

Ledbury played down the slope in the first half and took the lead in a curious manner in the sixth minute.

Duncan Preedy’s long punt from the back caused problems for the Wellington defence and Colling nipped in to beat Marc Priday with the deftest of touches.

Wellington were level within three minutes after James Blake ran on to an Andy Price through-ball and hit a shot across Chris Grubb into the far corner.

The visitors gained confidence and went 2-1 ahead in the 14th minute after Preedy was penalised for a foul on the lively Blake.

Will Perkins’ free-kick into the box was cleared to Withers who smashed an unstoppable half-volley into the net from eight yards.

The dangerous Colling was denied by the body of Priday in the 21st minute after he used his strength to hold off the challenge of Craig Sewell.

Matt Williams should have increased Wellington’s lead in the 29th minute after he raced on to a ball out of defence which had bounced wickedly over Ryan Mitchell.

Williams tried to dribble around Grubb but the stand-in goalkeeper’s outstretched foot managed to kick the ball away.

Ledbury came back into the match towards the interval and a half-volley from Tom Watkins wad tipped over by Priday and then Pat Locke flashed a shot narrowly wide.

Wellington made a strong start to the second half and Preedy cleared a Withers header off the goal-line.

But Ledbury’s players and supporters felt they should have won a penalty in the 51st minute.

Colling headed on a corner and the ball appeared to strike the arm of Brotherwood, who was stood on the goal-line, before Price cleared the danger.

Ledbury continued to press and equalised in the 57th minute when former Finlay Rovers striker Colling acrobatically dispatched a cross from substitute Sam Topham.

Ledbury’s joy was short-lived because Wellington restored their lead in the 59th minute. Sewell rose unmarked to head home a Perkins corner.

Sixth-placed Wellington increased their lead in the 69th minute with a superb lob from Aaron Morgan who had raced on to a Brotherwood through-ball.

Withers headed in Williams’ 89th-minute left-wing corner to complete the scoring.